Occupational Health Assessment Limited aim to provide employers with regular updates on important themes. In particular we look for current trends and UK legislation changes in areas of HR and Payroll practice and legislation.
And, despite this being the quiet summer months, there is plenty of movement in such areas currently. A few items that we would like to bring to the attention of employers are listed below. Links to consultation documents and other sources are included for ease of use.
The Fair Work Agency
The Fair Work Agency (FWA) was created as part of the government’s Making Work Pay agenda and began work on the 7th April 2026. The FWA’s role is to ensure compliance and police UK workers’ rights.
Yet a survey undertaken by Occupational Health Assessment Limited in June found that the vast majority of employers had had no contact with the agency. Not only that, but four in ten were not even aware of the FWA.
To bridge this knowledge gap, HR & Benefits magazine recorded a podcast interview with the FWA in August. The new CEO, Lisa Pinney OBE, talks openly about their work with our Brand Ambassador, Steve Herbert.
This episode explores the FWA’s remit, employer compliance expectations, and penalties for rogue employers. Details of future FWA engagement events are included. The episode is available on Spotify. A must listen for all HR and Payroll experts.
The Holiday Pay & Compliance Consultation
The Fair Work Agency are also involved in this, recently launched, government consultation.
The Holiday Pay & Compliance Consultation looks at holiday pay compliance and enforcement. It also considers design features and what support and guidance the FWA can provide to help support compliance.
The webpage for the Holiday Pay Consultation states;
“The government wants to build a compliance and enforcement framework that is fair, proportionate and effective for both workers and employers. This consultation seeks views from all interested parties to ensure that holiday pay compliance and enforcement works well for everyone. The consultation will likely be of particular interest to workers, employers (of all sizes), Business Representative Organisations and trade unions.”
This is a consultation that many more employers should engage with. The closing date is 22nd September, so employers will need to act soon if their voice is to be heard. Please follow this link to the Consultation pages.
The Workplace Monitoring Technologies (WMT) Consultation
Another important release is the WMT Consultation. This launched on the 8th July and will conclude in less than three months, on the 30th September 2026.
Despite the short time frame for consultation, this is an important milestone for employers. The consultation considers a wide range of technological solutions for employers to monitor employees, and in particular those employees working remotely.
As such, this is a document that employers will need to better understand. The consultation details are available here, and employers are urged to respond quickly to have their voice and perspective heard.
For more information on this topic, please listen to this podcast episode. It features experts from Employment Law, Human Resources, and the Trade Union movement.
Employment Update Webinar (09/09/26)
Yet there is so much more going on in the employment space currently. With this in mind our series of Occupational Health Assessment Limited quarterly employment webinars continues next month.
Our next event features Employment Law updates, the economic outlook, a Budget preview, topical HR themes and a deep-dive into workplace wellbeing and – in particular – female health across a working life.
Attendance is free and feedback from our delegates is consistently strong. For full details of the webinar and to reserve your place please follow this link.
About Occupational Health Assessment Ltd
Occupational Health Assessment Ltd is an SEQOHS Accredited and Certified B-Corp nationwide occupational health provider.
We provide rapid access to expert occupational health support for businesses right across the United Kingdom. Appointments are available nationwide within two days.
With a unique occupational health assessment service, night worker health assessments, fitness certifications and access to clinics in Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Northampton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, Stoke, Surrey and more, the business provides high quality, expert medical advice.
Please contact us for further information or assistance.